Drama and English teacher Karin Babbitt took a temporary leave of absence starting on Nov. 21 to get a second hip replacement since her first hip replacement was found to have a defect. She will be recuperating from the hip surgery until Jan. 9, the beginning of the second semester.

Drama supporter, musical producer and costume designer Cathie Thermond is substituting for the drama classes and English 9 teacher Sariah Tolley is substituting for Babbit’s English 9 class.

Thermond said that substituting would be a natural way to provide continuity to the drama program and students as she was already planning to be at school every day for musical rehearsals.

Tolley offered to substitute because she is already familiar with the English course.

“I knew that covering her classes would be a very smooth transition for her students, since I already teach the course,” Tolley said. “I offered to help, glad I could relieve her stress and excited to meet more of the freshmen at Saratoga High.”

While Babbitt has left for her surgery, the students have begun to appreciate their substitute teachers.

“Ms. Thermond as our substitute was exactly what the class needs,” senior Michael Coe said. “She has this uncanny ability to keep our class under control. I wish I knew how she does it.”

Senior Josh Harris credits Thermond’s ability as a substitute with the familiarity she has with many of the drama students.

“I think [Thermond] is going to be a great long-term sub. All of us already have a good relationship with her because of all the work she has put into shows in the past as producer,” Harris said.

Although Tolley’s students do not have the same long relationship with Tolley that the drama students have with Thermond, they appreciate the hard work Tolley has put into teaching the class.

“[Tolley] is nice and funny in her own way and I think that it’s nice to be able to experience a different teacher for a period of time,” freshman Damee Moon said.

Likewise, Tolley also enjoys teaching Babbitt’s students.

“They are a fun group of students and very flexible as I have come in a changed up a few things for these next few weeks,” Tolley said.

Even though students have adjusted to their substitutes, they still miss Babbitt.

“I really miss Ms. Babbitt, especially her accents and voices,” freshman Neesha Malik said. “She does the best creepy little girl accent you will ever hear and she tells the funniest jokes and stories. I hope she gets well soon.”